EARLY in July some of our members visited the beautiful house and gardens at Arley Hall in Knutsford.

This lovely house overlooks magnificent gardens which have been developed by the family over the past 250 years. They include herbaceous borders, elaborate topiary, walled gardens and a fine collection of roses and shrubs. Described by Gertrude Jekyll as “the best kind of formal English garden.

Our most recent outing went to Arbury Hall near Nuneaton. An Elizabethan Manor, the property has been owned by the Newgate family since the 16th century and regarded as a Gothic gem of the Midlands. The principle rooms have soaring fan vaulted ceilings and plunging pendants and filigree tracery. Similar examples can be found in Buckingham Palace and Gloucester Cathedral.

A further outing is being organised to Bath on Wednesday, October 7. If you would like to join us and enjoy a day visiting the sites of your choice please contact me on 01684 573090.

JOAN AINSWORTH